Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said the state government has “eyes and ears” and is sensitive to the concerns of students protesting over alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Examination and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) CGL Examination.
Speaking to reporters, Soren assured that the government would address the concerns of the candidates and said justice would be delivered after the investigation into the alleged irregularities reaches its conclusion.
The Chief Minister said the government is awaiting the findings of the ongoing investigation and that the outcome will be shared with students and the people of the state.
“I have said this before as well, the government has eyes and ears; it is sensitive to the issue…the way the investigation team is working day and night, we are waiting for its answer and a conclusion…very soon we will make the students and the people of the state aware about it. All the necessities of the students will be met, and they will get justice,” the Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, five students continued their hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi as part of their protest over the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and JSSC CGL Examination.
The protesters are scheduled to carry out a march to mark the death anniversary of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren.
A protester told ANI, “Today is the death anniversary of Dishom Guru. Following in the footsteps of our source of inspiration, we are here today. Today, we have some creative programs. We are going to hold a tribute march for Dishom Guru.”
The protester added that five members had begun a hunger strike and appealed to the Chief Minister to take strong action over the issue.
“Starting today, five of our comrades are on a hunger strike. The CM should take string decision, and we all stand with him. Our fight isn’t with the Chief Minister. Our fight isn’t with any party. Our fight is with the rotten system that has taken over the system. We also assure that our platform will not become a platform for any political party,” he added.
The indefinite hunger strike was started on Sunday by student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who has been demanding action over the alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations.
The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the Preliminary Test (PT) for the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and a review of examinations conducted through TDPL agencies.
Earlier on Monday, JMM leader Manoj Pandey assured strict action against those responsible.
Speaking to ANI on the ongoing agitation, Pandey said the Hemant Soren government will not spare anyone found guilty and backed the state’s investigating agencies, saying they should handle the probe instead of central agencies like the CBI.
“Strict action must be taken, and we agree with that. Whoever be it an individual, official, or employee is involved in such irregularities will face the strictest possible action. Whoever did this will not be spared. I assure you with full confidence,” said Pandey.
“As far as the demand to have the investigation conducted by central agencies is concerned, as our Opposition party leaders are demanding, the CBI has investigated before. What happened with the NEET exam? Our state’s agency is a competent agency, with clean intentions. We want justice for the students. At the very least, students should not doubt their own state’s agencies. They will get justice. Hemant Soren will deliver justice to them, and the Jharkhand government will deliver justice to them,” he added.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 11 people in connection with the JPSC paper leak case, while JPSC Chairman L Khiangte has tendered his resignation.
